Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. reported net sales for the four-week period ending January 31, 2003, of $17.391 billion, an increase of 12.9 percent over the $15.399 billion in the similar period in the prior year.
Sales for the fifty- two week period were $244.495 billion, an increase of 11.6 percent over the $219.060 billion in the similar period in the prior year. The fifty-two week period reported above is based on the retail industry calendar. Sales for Wal-Mart’s fiscal year ended January 31, 2003, were approximately $245 billion.
The Wal-Mart division’s sales for the four-week period were $10.631 billion, up 11.2 percent over sales of $9.562 billion in the similar prior-year period. The division’s sales for the fifty-two weeks of $156.735 billion were up 12.8 percent over the $138.914 billion in the similar prior-year period.
SAM’s CLUB sales for the four-week period were $2.242 billion, up 7.0 percent over sales of $2.096 billion in the similar prior-year period. Club sales for the fifty-two weeks of $31.614 billion were up 7.7 percent over the $29.353 billion in the similar prior-year period.
The International division’s sales for the four-week period were $3.173 billion, up 17.2 percent over sales of $2.707 billion in the similar prior-year period. The division’s sales for the fifty-two weeks of $41.240 billion were up 11.4 percent over the $37.005 billion in the similar prior-year period.
Comparable sales for the period ending January 31, 2003, were as follows:
4 Weeks 52 Weeks
This Year Last Year This Year Last Year
Wal-Mart 2.6 % 8.6 % 5.6 % 6.1 %
SAM's CLUB 0.9 % 7.0 % 2.2 % 6.0 %
Total U.S. Retail 2.3 % 8.3 % 5.0 % 6.1 %
The Company now expects earnings for the year ended January 31, 2003 to be around $1.80 per share. Results for the fourth fiscal quarter and the year will be announced on February 18, 2003.
